Long time follower first time asker. I seem to recall you doing a Phantom cosplay before with pretty cool face makeup--am I remembering right, and if so, was it hard to do? I am going to throw together a Chinese opera inspired Phantom for Halloween this year but I have no idea where to start for the face when I cannot wear a mask (I work at a school). Thank you for your time!
Oh my gosh, how cool! I LOVE the idea of a Chinese opera-inspired look!
I did do an Erik look wayyyy back in ye olde 2019 (actually hoping to do another soon). Here are some photos:
It wasn't hard at all! I used Ben Nye, Mehron, and eyeshadow. I didn't have any prosthetics, so it's all illusion paint! (And contacts. If those were my real eyes. I'd be due for a liver function test.)
If you're not familiar with face paint, check out a skull tutorial (sans the teeth) like this one!
Or, if you'd rather do an ALW take on it, here are some reference photos you could pull from for inspiration:
Phantom On A Budget has been THE resource for Phantom makeup since, like, 2008. She uses prosthetics, but you can easily adapt with just paint!
Claude Raines' from the 1943 film may be an easier version, especially if you're just using paint:
I'd also recommend looking up skull anatomy in general for some good ideas for where you could take the shapes of the deformity. This site has a moveable 3D skull you can use for reference!
Also, if you've never tried blocking your eyebrows to remove them and your eyebrows aren't insanely thick like mine, I like this tutorial! (I've long since given up blocking and just use silicone prosthetics to cover my brows when I need to...my eyebrows are Brillo pads.)
Also, especially if you'll be wearing the paint all day, don't forget to use a setting spray when you're done so the makeup will hold. My favorite ever is Ben Nye Final Seal. Spray 3-4 coats of this on your makeup (wait for each layer to dry before adding another) and you will be all set all day. I've worn elaborate, full-face makeup finished with Final Seal for 8+ hours and that makeup did not BUDGE. (It comes off with makeup remover, don't worry.)
I'd love to see the final look if you do it! And best of luck! Always here to help and answer any questions. :)